Tianjin: The Chinese city of Tianjin is preparing to host what promises to be the largest and most high-profile gathering in the history of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as leaders and representatives from more than 20 nations arrive for the summit scheduled from August 31 to September 1. Established in 2001, the SCO has grown into one of the world’s largest regional blocs, with full member states including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran, while Belarus, Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status. Against this wide diplomatic backdrop, the host nation is introducing a striking innovation: a humanoid robot named Xiao He, specifically designed to assist journalists and facilitate smooth communication during the two-day event.
The deployment of Xiao He is not a gimmick but a carefully thought-out element of summit organisation, reflecting China’s determination to showcase technological advancement as part of its soft power. The humanoid robot has been programmed with multilingual capabilities, emotional recognition algorithms and adaptive learning modules, allowing it to respond in real time to a wide range of questions from media professionals and summit participants. In an interaction with reporters ahead of the event, Xiao He introduced itself confidently, declaring: “I’m Xiao He, a cutting-edge humanoid AI assistant designed for the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin. I provide multilingual support, real-time information processing and protocol-compliant interactions.” Its integration of knowledge databases and emphasis on cultural neutrality and factual precision underline the role artificial intelligence is increasingly playing in international forums, particularly where global media and protocol-heavy proceedings converge.
What makes Xiao He especially significant is not merely its technical capacity but the way it has been woven into the fabric of the summit. The robot has been tasked with assisting foreign and domestic media, ensuring that the unprecedented number of journalists expected at the venue are able to access timely information. Beyond its functional role, Xiao He also spoke about the cultural dimension of the summit, highlighting the inclusion of a special Intangible Cultural Heritage Interactive Experience Zone. This area will feature demonstrations of Tianjin’s Yangliuqing woodblock prints and traditional craftsmanship, allowing delegates and media to engage with China’s heritage even as they navigate the cutting-edge digital support offered by artificial intelligence. In this way, the summit is positioning itself not only as a stage for diplomacy but also as a showcase of how tradition and technology can coexist to enrich international engagement.
On the diplomatic front, the Tianjin summit is expected to generate headlines of considerable global importance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arriving from a two-day official visit to Japan for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is set to play a central role in discussions. Modi described his Tokyo visit as highly productive, posting on X that there were “productive outcomes during a productive visit” and expressing hope that the India-Japan friendship will scale newer heights in the times to come. His presence in Tianjin will be closely watched, especially as he is scheduled to hold two critical bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the current climate of geopolitical flux, these interactions carry immense significance, particularly as the SCO positions itself as a forum where regional powers can coordinate on security, economic cooperation and strategic partnerships.
As Tianjin readies for this grand occasion, the symbolism is striking. The SCO, originally formed with the intention of addressing security concerns in Central Asia, has evolved into a platform that now spans economic, cultural, and technological cooperation. The presence of Xiao He, the humanoid robot bridging linguistic and informational divides, reflects this broader evolution. For China, it is also a statement of technological prowess, as the world witnesses how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to support international diplomacy. For the member states, it is a reminder that the SCO is not merely a forum for leaders but a stage where the future of regional cooperation, innovation and cultural diplomacy can be simultaneously advanced.
In the days ahead, the summit will undoubtedly be defined by the declarations of presidents and prime ministers, the handshakes captured by cameras, and the communiqués negotiated behind closed doors. Yet, it is equally likely that Xiao He the humanoid assistant moving quietly among journalists, answering questions in multiple languages, and representing a new frontier of human-robot collaboration will leave a lasting impression as a symbol of how the SCO is embracing both tradition and transformation. The Tianjin summit, therefore, is not just another diplomatic meeting; it is a fusion of politics, culture, and cutting-edge technology on one of the world’s most important multilateral stages.